Amphibians | AMAP Brazil

Amphibians of Fazenda Bom Pastor

Within the Neotropics, Brazil harbours with more than 1100 the largest number of described amphibian species. 625 amphibian species from 18 families are found in the Atlantic Forest, of which around 70% are endemic to the biome. However, the total number of species is still much higher, as new species are constantly being discovered. This species diversity is probably caused by the heterogeneity of the habitats and the diversity of microhabitats in this biome. Amphibians are the most endangered group of animals on earth. According to recent estimates, one third of all species are threatened. The major threats to amphibians are habitat loss and fragmentation, climate change, the introduction of exotic species and a globally occurring, deadly fungal disease. Brazil is not among the countries with the highest number of threatened amphibians. This is probably due to the lack of data, as 25% of all Brazilian species are listed by the IUCN as "Data Deficit". However, species conservation actions can only be initiated if sufficient data are available.Fazenda Bom Pastor provides good habitat conditions for amphibians, as you can find here several small water bodies with standing water and small streams. In general, the Fazenda Bom Pastor is rich in springs for fresh water, which makes the farm to an important source for drinking water for the surrounding farms, especially during drought periods. A comprehensive species inventory is conducted during 2023 and 2024 in collaboration with the UESC, as part of the EAI-Project. So far we have been able to photograph and identify 28 amphibian species. Whereas hyelid species (treefrogs) are the most abundant ones. One species, Allobates olfersioides, is categorized as VU by the IUCN.

Further information

Allobates olfersioides

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Rio rocket frog

Family

Aromobatidae

An Endemic to the coastal regions of the Atlantic Forestendemic tree species of Bahia, especially of the restinga. Habitats are primary and secondary forests. It is a diurnal frog that lives on the forest floor.

Bahius bilineatus

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

not known

Family

Craugastoridae

The natural habitat is the lowland moist forest, but this species also occurs in cabrucas. It tolerates habitat modification as long as trees are present. It has been found in leaf litter and in bromeliads. But nevertheless the species can be threatened by habitat loss.

Boana albomarginata

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

White-edged tree frog

Family

Hylidae

The white-edged tree frog is endemic in Brazil. But here the tree frog can survive in a wide range of habitats, up to degraded areas.

Boana atlantica

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Angelim-da-praia

Family

Hylidae

The tree frog inhabits many different biotopes, including tropical and dry forests, swamps and meadows, as well as gardens and urban areas. This beautiful tree frog shows a fluorescence under UV light.

Boana faber

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Blacksmith treefrog

Family

Hylidae

The blacksmith tree frog inhabits the forests, parks and gardens near swamps and other bodies of water.

Dendropsophus anceps

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Estrella treefrog

Family

Hylidae

Endemic to brazil. The natural habitats are open, standing waters and swamps, including artificially created ponds

Dendropsophus branneri

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

not known

Family

Hylidae

D. branneri is endemic to the Mata Atlântica. Despite an LC status this tree frog suffers rapid habitat loss due to agriculture, logging, and clearing for pastureland.

Dendropsophus elegans

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Elegant Forest Treefrog

Family

Hylidae

Endemic to the Mata Atlântica. An abundant treefrog in various forest and shrubland habitats.

Dendropsophus haddadi

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Haddads Treefrog

Family

Hylidae

It occurs in coastal rainforest and in the restinga vegetation, as well as in gardens, farmland, and towns, at elevations below 650 m (2,130 ft). It breeds in permanent bonds and can be spotted on vegetation around these. It is a common and very adaptable species that is not facing any threats. It is present in many protected areas.

Boana pombali

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

not known

Family

Hylidae

The natural habitats of Hypsiboas pombali are primary and secondary forests, including forest borders and gallery forests, within the Atlantic Forest. It can even occur in some open habitats. It is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation

Itapotihyla langsdorffii

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Ocellated treefrog

Family

Hylidae

A relatively large tree frog. The ocellated treefrog is an arboreal frog occurring on shrubs and trees inside rain forest. It is restricted to pristine habitats. In suitable habitats it can be abundant. Habitat losscan be a threat.

Leptodactylus latrans

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

White-lipped frog

Family

Leptodactylidae

Leptodactylus is a widespread ground dwelling species in Southamerica and well adapted to anthropogenic disturbance. L. latrans is found in a variety of habitats, including swamps, savannahs, grasslands and tropical forest ecosystems.

Phyllodytes melanomystax

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Bahia heart-tongued frog

Family

Hylidae

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, and heavily degraded former forests. It is threatened by habitat loss

Phyllomedusa bahiana

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Perereca macaco

Family

Phyllomedusidae

Phyllomedusa bahiana is endemic to Bahia and Brazil. Scientists have seen it in mountain habitats, between 280 and 1000 meters above sea level.

Phyllomedusa burmeisteri

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Burmeister's leaf frog

Family

Phyllomedusidae

P. burmeisteri appear to be somewhat resistant to deforestation, due to their ability to easily adapt to new environments

Physalaemus camacan

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

not known

Family

Leptodactylidae

The habitats are primary and secondary forests. It is a ground dwelling species to be found in leaf litter

Pithecopus rohdei

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Rohde's leaf frog

Family

Phyllomedusidae

The Rohdes leaf frog inhabits a wide range of habitats, including heavily disturbed former forests.

Pristimantis paulodutrai

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Paulo's robber frog

Family

Strabomantidae

It is a very common frog living on low vegetation inside primary and secondary forest. It tolerates habitat modifications.

Pristimantis ramagii

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Paraiba robber frog

Family

Strabomantidae

Its natural habitats are primary and secondary forests as well as forest edges and rocky areas. It is usually found in leaf litter or in low vegetation. It is an extremely abundant species that could face threats from habitat loss. It occurs in a number of protected areas.

Rhinella crucifer

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Striped toad

Family

Bufonidae

Striped toads occurs in rainforests and disturbed habitats. It is a locally abundant species, but habitat loss caused by agricultural crops and timber extraction threaten its habitats.

Rhinella granulosa

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Granular toad

Family

Bufonidae

The natural habitats of R. granulosa are open areas, savanna, forests, and river shorelines. During the daytime they hide in holes in the ground. They feed on ants and termites. This adaptable species is not considered threatened.

Rhinella hoogmoedi

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Granular toad

Family

Bufonidae

This nocturnal species is endemic in the Mata Atlantica and can be found in the forest resting on vegetation a few centimeters above the ground. T Males vocalize on the ground or tree trunks up to 60 cm above the ground near ponds or slack water of rivulets inside forest or restinga.

Scinax strigilatus

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Bahia Snouted Treefrog

Family

Hylidae

It is endemic to Brazil. Its natural habitats are rivers, freshwater marshes and intermittent freshwater marshes.

Scinax x-signatus

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Bahia Snouted Treefrog

Family

Hylidae

It is endemic to Brazil. Its natural habitats are rivers, freshwater marshes and intermittent freshwater marshes.

Siphonops annulatus

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Ringed caecilian

Family

Siphonopidae

This species is widely distributed in southamerica, but is not often seen due to its subterranean habitat. They often inhabit cabrucas and feed on invertebrates that live under the ground. Their skin produces a toxic mucus that protects them from predators.

Sphaenorhynchus prasinus

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Bokermann's Lime Treefrog

Family

Hylidae

The Bokermann's Lime Treefrog occurs in secondary forest, clearings in forest, and forest edges at elevations below 500 m

Stereocyclops incrassatus

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Brazilian dumpy frog

Family

Microhylidae

Endemic in eastern Brazil. The natural habitats are primary and secondary forests. The nocturnal frog is living in leaf litter. They prey on a range of small invertebrates, mostly on ants, followed by beetles and isopods. Habitat loss is the major threat to this species.

Trachycephalus mesophaeus

Scienitfic name

Threat

Common name

Porto Alegre golden-eyed tree frog

Family

Hylidae

The golden-eyed tree frog occurs in primary and secondary forest and forest edge on vegetation near waterbodies. It is an abundant species that can be threatened by clear cutting and water pollution.